NEWS
--Minnesota Department of Transportation is remindiong residents after receiving calls of political signs being taken in Little Falls that placing campaign, garage sale signs and other unauthorized objects in state highway rights of way is not allowed under state law, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In addition, political signs may not be placed on private property outside of the right of way limits without landowner consent. Highway rights of way include the driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. MnDOT crews will remove any unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of its local maintenance truck stations or another local site. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties also may apply if the placement of such material contributes to a motor vehicle crash and injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road. In addition, the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act prohibits placing advertising materials on public utility poles, trees, shrubs, and painting or drawing on rocks or natural features.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced that the winter walleye regulation will allow anglers to keep one walleye between 19 and 21 inches or one longer than 28 inches. The 2016-17 winter regulation continues last winter’s one fish limit but moves the harvest slot up slightly from last year’s 18 to 20 inches. The winter walleye season begins December 1st and extends through February 26th, 2017. Northern pike will provide anglers and darkhouse spearers with additional opportunity to harvest fish on Mille Lacs this winter. Northern Pike and Bass regulations can be found at the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/millelacslake.
--Benton County authorities are looking for help identifying a woman who is accused of stealing items from a Harley Davidson store. Sheriff’s officials say a woman walked into a dealership in Sauk Rapids Monday around 12:45pm and placed several items of merchandise into a handbag and left without paying. She is described as white, with light-colored hair and over 50-years-old. The suspect left in a silver or tan Jeep Cherokee SUV with a roof rack and decal in the back window. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201.
--An Avon man faces more than a dozen theft charges after allegedly swindling customers out of thousands of dollars in cash and property at his marine business. According to court records, Randy Pierson made multiple fraudulent transactions as the owner of Avon Marine. Some of the charges accuse Pierson of selling used boat motors as new, selling boats and motors of existing customers without their consent, and taking payments but failing to deliver boats, motors and dock lifts. Pierson appeared in Stearns County District Court Thursday and has another hearing scheduled for January.
--A van driven by an 89-year-old woman crashed through a wall Wednesday at the Oak Place strip mall on Oak Street. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the crash at about 2:45pm. The van driven by 89-year old Bonnie June Kuzyk crashed into the building. Officers learned Kuzyk's vehicle was northbound on South Sixth Street and failed to stop for the red light at the intersection. Kuzyk's vehicle then collided with 74-year-old Theron Bolles of rural Brainerd. Kuzyk was taken to the hospital to be checked out. No others injured.
--Saturday morning is the firearm deer hunting opener in Minnesota. A reminder from Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen to please watch for others when hunting in your hunting party, respect others property and land if hunting on it, make sure to have permission to hunt on private property, be sure to be as visible as possible, that the tree stand is safe, refrain from alcohol while hunting and bring a cell phone in case of emergency to let those know of your wherabouts if needed. Sheriff Larsen hopes that you will make it a safe and successful firearms deer hunting season in central Minnesota.
--A Crosby police officer, who was terminated from the police force, is fighting to get his job back. Crosby Police Officer Jesse Smith was terminated October 6th when the Crosby City Council met in a special meeting to discuss potential disciplinary action against the officer. The council went into a closed session with Smith and his labor union representative with Teamsters Local 346 and then into an open session, where it voted to terminate Smith. Crosby Police Chief Kim Coughlin said the only thing she can say about the case is a complaint was filed against Smith and the city council voted to terminate him. She was advised by Crosby City Attorney Tom Pearson not to comment on the case.
--Waite Park police are asking witnesses to come forward and provide information related to an assault Wednesday morning in a store parking lot. Officers were called to Home Depot just before 7:00pm Wednesday to discuss an assault that happened around 11:00am. They were told two people had thrown an object from a vehicle at a man, hitting him. Police could not provide a complete description at this time. Anyone with information or who had witnessed the assault is asked to contact the Waite Park Police Department at 251-3281.
--This Sunday we return to Central Standard Time as Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00am Sunday morning. Remember to turn back the clocks one hour before bed Saturday night or 2:00am Sunday morning. Also this is great time to check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
DEATH NOTICE
--Larry Killian, age 73 of Staples
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and mild, high near 70, clear skies, low around 40.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 65, clear night, low near 40.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 65, rain late night, low 50.
MONDAY= rain early, then clearing and windy, high 57.
SPORTS
HS FB= Royalton rolled 41-8 over Rush City to win the Section 7AA Championship. They play next Friday in the Class AA Quarterfinals.
HS FB= Pierz vs. Mora tonight in Section 6AAA Championship from St. Cloud State University at 8pm on FM94 KFML. Also congratulations to Lane Girtz being named to the AAA All State Football Academic Team. Also area teams like Pillager, Osakis, Rocori, Browerville, Parkers Prairie, Albany & Eden Valley are still in playoffs. STATE= The State Cross Country Tournament is Saturday at St. Olaf College. Good Luck to the area runners from Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Holdingford and Staples-Motley at the meet on Saturday.
COL FB= Purdue at Gophers Saturday 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF
NFL= Detroit at Vikings Sunday at noon.